The Politico’s Ben Smith Is Clueless

3:08 am EST November 11th, 2007 | Media | 7 Comments

So, in describing the theatrics proceeding Sen. Obama’s speech at Saturday’s Jefferson Jackson event in Iowa, The Politico’s Ben Smith describes it thusly:

A WWF-style recorded intro for Obama

But what actually happened was the Obama campaign copied the world-famous introduction used for the Chicago Bulls, turning out the lights and having the announcer roar “And now the starting lineup…”. Now, I understand most people aren’t watching the Chicago Bulls anymore, but one would have had to have been comatose for the entire 1990s not to know this. The Bulls intro went hand in hand with the career of Michael Jordan, one of the most famous people in the history of famous people. It was a signature intro that the Obama people smartly used to tie into Sen. Obama’s Chicago roots.

But, um, the guy tasked by a major news operation like the Politico with covering the Democratic party did not know this. If you look at the comments of Ben Smith’s post, the readers have no idea how he could possibly be this idiotic. This kind of behavior is not outside of the ordinary for today’s media.


Chicago Bulls Intro Video, Circa 1997


Barack Obama’s speech at the 2007 Jefferson Jackson event


Actual WWE (notice the E!) entrance video for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Related Posts

  • No Related Post
«
»

7 Responses to “The Politico’s Ben Smith Is Clueless”

  1. Benny says:
    November 11, 2007 at 5:10 am

    I agree with you, but for a different reason. He was shilling for Clinton tonight, and she did not deliver.

    Edwards and Obama were the best speakers for the people tonight at the JJ Dinner.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4rqysXGj0o

    Pelosi was the loser of the night. She was downright awful.

    Illinois won over Ohio State. What will be the outcome of the Pokes-Redskins game?

  2. Randy Brown says:
    November 11, 2007 at 9:35 am

    Ah, for the good old days when, wrestlers, sports teams and politicians didn’t need entrance music and videos.

    Bruno Sammartino didn’t need such frills. All he had to do was lumber into MSG, or the Baltimore Civic Center, or wherever – preferably with manager Arnold Skoaland in tow carrying the WWWF title belt over his shoulder – and the crowd would “pop” like crazy. Bob Backlund – maligned as he is today, Bobby was loved in his time – ran into the hall, towel around his neck, Skoaland again behind, and the earth would shake. Even a killer heel (villain) like Billy Graham, the early Hulk Hogan, or post-Bruno Larry Zbyszko could get massive, if negative, heat as soon as he appeared in the runway.

    IMHO, the best “modern” ring entrances are The Road Warriors (NWA, 1980s, to the tune of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man”); Ric Flair (NWA/WCW, 1980s-1990s, “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)”; “Hollywood” Hogan (WCW-NWO, 1996-97, Hendrix’ “Voodoo Child [A Slight Return]“); and Booker T/The Gangstas (ECW, late 1990s, whatever that rap song was that played throughout their entire matches!).

  3. fredfarkle says:
    November 11, 2007 at 10:02 am

    If you can only criticize him for his less than one sentence description of the candidates ENTRANCE then he must being doing something right.

    Pretty stupid spending that much time combing for clips just to make this point…lets see if I can get this right..

    “There’s got to be a constant rhythm in his head saying “breathe in… ok, breathe out… ok, breathe in”.

    Ok Oliver, now exhale…..

  4. C.S.Strowbridge says:
    November 11, 2007 at 11:56 am

    “If you can only criticize him for his less than one sentence description of the candidates ENTRANCE then he must being doing something right.”

    Wow, you are fucking stupid.

    He made a mistake and was criticized for it. This is not something for him to be proud of.

  5. David Bennett says:
    November 11, 2007 at 2:45 pm

    I was going to say, he’s being criticized for a World Wildlife Federation-style entrance? Good catch on the WWE, Oliver.

    Anyhow, does anyone think political speeches and rallies are any less choreographed and stage-managed than WWE events or a football halftime show?

  6. C.S.Strowbridge says:
    November 11, 2007 at 4:20 pm

    “Anyhow, does anyone think political speeches and rallies are any less choreographed and stage-managed than WWE events or a football halftime show?”

    Hell no. In fact, I would assume political events are more choreographed.

  7. Diamond LeGrande says:
    November 13, 2007 at 9:56 am

    Does anyone hear “Sirius” and NOT think of the 1990s Chicago Bulls? (Well, I sometimes think of Dark Side of the Moon as well, but that’s in addition and I like tangents and Pink Floyd more than I like just about anything else.)